Optimizing ethyl formate fumigation in greenhouse cucurbit crops for efficient control of major agricultural pests, Myzus persicae and Thrips palmi

Abstract

Background Ethyl formate (EF) is naturally occurring volatile compound used as quarantine fumigant for pest control. Recently, conversion of uses of EF was tried from quarantine to agricultural field due to its promising efficacy. However, there is a lack of studies on the residue pattern on crops and soil and the phytotoxic mechanism of EF in greenhouse environment. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy, residue analysis, and phytotoxicity of EF fumigation in controlling Myzus persicae and Thrips palmi, on cucurbit crops and establish an optimized fumigation strategy for use in greenhouses. Results The results showed that EF was more effective against M. persicae than against T. palmi. Residue analysis indicated that EF rapidly decomposed and was not retained after 30 min in leaves and 2 h in soil after fumigation, suggesting the potential for residue-free pest control. Phytotoxicity test revealed that watermelon was the most sensitive crop to EF, and H2O2 accumulation was observed above a concentration of 7.5 g/m3. A strategy to reduce phytotoxicity with sodium bicarbonate during fumigation showed promising results in reducing phytotoxic effects on the crops. The optimized EF fumigation with 6 g/m3 was applied in a greenhouse, resulting in 100% and 40% mortality of M. persicae and T. palmi, respectively, with no notable phytotoxicity and EF residue in the treated crops and soil. Conclusion This study demonstrates that optimized EF fumigation can be an environmentally sustainable method for controlling pests in greenhouses, paving the way for improved pest management practices and sustainable agriculture. Further research is needed to validate these findings and explore the potential of EF fumigation for other crops and pests. Graphical Abstract

Development of Ethyl Formate Disinfestation Treatment Methods for the Prevention of the Introduction and Establishment of Exotic Insect Pests in Greenhouse Cultivation

“…The lethal concentration-time (LCt) values of EF on various organisms were analyzed using a Probit analysis, following the procedure of a previous study [17]. All quality parameter data related to the phytotoxic assessments (e.g., damage index, chlorophyll contents, and hue value) were calculated using Proc Univariate in SAS (ver.…”

“…Residue analysis of EF was performed on the leaves and soil using headspace autosampler-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS, Agilent 5973N with Agilent G1888, Agilent Technologies Inc., Santa Clara, CA, USA), following the procedure of a previous study [17]. Briefly, HS analysis occurred at an oven temperature of 70 • C, a loop temperature of 75 • C, a transfer line temperature of 80 • C, an equilibration time of 0.2 min, and an injection time of 0.5 min.…”

“…Although PH 3 resistance due to a dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase mutation in insect pests has been reported [11], resistance to EF has never been reported in insect pests. Regulated EF disinfestation treatment standards have been established and are widely used on various commodities, including many different types of fruits, vegetables, nursery plants, nonfood commodities, and greenhouse applications [12][13][14][15][16][17].…”

“…South Korea has 378,000 ha dedicated to domestic fruit and vegetable cultivation, with about 80% of farms utilizing greenhouses [18]. Pest management is more complicated in the temperature and humidity conditions of greenhouses than it is in general cultivation methods; thus, specific disinfestation treatment methods are required [17,19]. The current plant protection law calls for the incineration and disposal of crops when quarantine insect pests are detected, which causes significant economic losses for farmers.…”

Ethyl Formate Fumigation for Controlling Two Major Aphid Pests, Aphis spiraecola and Aphis gossypii, on Passion Fruit, from Cultivation to Post-Harvest Storage

“…Fumigation is a cost-effective and efficient method to disinfest insect pests [17]. In particular, EF has been reported as an effective pesticide for pests in a greenhouse that have developed resistance to other pesticides [18,19]. Several studies have explored the use of EF as a disinfectant on a range of commodities such as fruits, vegetables, nursery plants, and non-food commodities in the condition of post-harvest storage as quarantine purposes, and they have demonstrated its effectiveness [20][21][22][23][24][25][26].…”